Samantha Alam (Fall 06)Samantha is a self-employed Mediation Trainer and Skills Coach working with clients such as Southern Oregon University, Josephine County, Asante Health System, and the State of Oregon Department of Justice. She has a B.S. in Political Science from Southern Oregon University and has studied abroad in China, earning a certificate in Chinese Language and Cultural Studies from Beijing's Central University. Samantha has been working in the social services field since 1998 and hopes the MiM program will open up new interests and directions for her career. She looks forward to the sense of possibility and academic purpose that is part of being involved in an active and motivated student community.

Karen Amarotico (Fall 06)Karen has been working in the food service industry for over 25 years and is the former kitchen manager of Standing Stone Brewing Company in Ashland, Oregon. She has a B.A. in Business from Southern Oregon University and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, one the world's most prestigious culinary colleges. Karen is a board member of the Ashland Schools Foundation, and is also involved with Toastmasters and the Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) program. She is currently exploring her career options and expects that the MiM program will help prepare her for whatever future challenges she chooses to undertake.

Randy Baker (Fall 06)Randy teaches business and computer technology courses at Yreka High School in Yreka, California, where he has also coached several winning football and tennis teams. He has a B.S. in Production Operations Systems Management from California State Universtity in Sacramento. In his spare time, Randy serves on the board of directors of Yreka Christian Fellowship and enjoys traveling in foreign countries. He lists England, Wales, Ireland, and Germany as his favorite places to visit. Randy would like to obtain an administrative position and has joined the MiM program to prepare for a job as a school principal or school district superintendent.

Brenda Barnhill (Fall 03)Brenda comes to the program from Solana Beach, California. Her degree is in Psychology and Economics from the University of Colorado. She speaks fluent French. Brenda is currently the controller for PrintQuick/HIJK and oversees a budget of $10 million and five employees.

Jackson Baures (Winter 04)Jackson has served as an Environmental Health Specialist for Jackson County Health and Human Services since 2001. He is responsible for coordinating air quality, bioterrorism and safety programs, investigates food-borne illnesses and conducts food handler training throughout the county. He worked for Peak Environmental Services as an environmental specialist for two years prior to signing on with the county. Jackson's career path also includes a two-year stint as a claims service representative for Safeco Insurance and three years as the manager of the Pizza Factory in Weed, California. He studied water quality issues as an intern with Oregon DEQ in 1998. Jackson was awarded a bachelors degree in Environmental Science from Willamette University in 1995. He aspires to serve as a division manager in the department of Health and Human Services.

Kevin Bird (Winter 07)Kevin has a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Southern Oregon University, where he was awarded Outstanding Environmental Studies Student in both his junior and senior years. He has managed a farm, worked as a veterinary assistant, and been a quality assurance supervisor for a plastics manufacturing firm. Randy is preparing for a new career in the U.S. Forest Service and has enrolled in the MiM program to gain the enhanced communication, leadership, and managerial skills necessary to succeed in an interdisciplinary work environment.

Robert Casserly (Fall 05)Robert serves as the program manager for Friends of the Animal Shelter. He moved to Ashland from Tallahassee, Florida in 2001. In Florida, he was an instructor for Hurricane Island Outward Bound and worked as a residential resource manager for a youth shelter. He earned a bachelors degree from SOU in English and Writing in 2005. His work experience includes two years on a commercial fishing trawler in Alaska and two years as a public bus driver, as well as stints on a family farm and as a newspaper reporter, taxi driver and landscaper. His dream is to open Ashland's first animal shelter and he is counting on gaining skills and knowledge from the MiM program to help him achieve that goal.

Matt Cofer (Fall 06)Matt is an Officer and Training Technician for the U.S. Army National Guard. He has served in the military since 1998, a career which has afforded him the opportunity to travel all over the world, including deployments in Indonesia, Singapore, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. He has a B.S. in Geography from Southern Oregon University and has chosen the MiM program for graduate study because he feels it will enhance his personal and professional development. Military officers must routinely make life-or-death decisions, so Matt is especially interested in learning everything he can about effective leadership and decision-making processes.

Radovan Dluhy-Smith (Fall 04)Radovan is a native of the Czech Republic whose career has taken him to Mexico and Ecuador on the way to Ashland. He is currently coaching for Southern Oregon Fuego, a local soccer club. In 1997, he earned a bachelors degree in Global Economics and Environmental Studies at the University of California-Santa Cruz. He has been involved in several international nonprofit organizations and ran a language agency that offered instruction and translation services from 1998 to 2003. In 1997, Radovan spent six months managing a reforestation project in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. His goal is to further develop his skills in communication, negotiation and problem-solving so that he can contribute to building a sustainable global society.

Kember Dollarhide (Fall 06)Kember is a Claims Representative for the Social Security Administration office in Medford, Oregon. She has extensive experience in customer-service and a B.S. in History and Women's Studies from Southern Oregon University. Kember is an active community volunteer, including service to United Way of Jackson County, Rogue Valley Chorale, Boy Scouts of America, and Community Works. Kember's goal as a government employee is to use her customer-service skills to help her agency become more customer-oriented. She has entered the MiM program to prepare for the challenge of obtaining a management position in the Social Security Administration.

Christina Dunlap (Fall 02)Christina is the public relations coordinator for Southern Oregon University, a position she has held since 2001. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing from Kent State University in 1996. Christina worked as an account executive with Tucker Communications in Kent following graduation. In 1998, she moved to southern Oregon and started work as a marketing and sales specialist for Britt Festivals. She is actively involved in local Junior Achievement activities and serves as a volunteer for the SMART reading program. Christina looks forward to learning more about SOU from her new role as a graduate student.

Elena Efunia (Fall 04)Elena is committed to contributing to improved quality of life in her homeland of Kyrgyzstan. She earned a bachelors degree in Economics from Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University in 2001 where she was a member of the national volleyball team for four years. She completed a second bachelors in management at SOU in 2002. Elena has worked in the banking industry in southern Oregon at Klamath First Federal and Sterling Savings Bank. Currently, she works part-time for Rogue Federal Credit Union.

Heather Freiheit (Winter 05)Heather is Nurse Manager for Emergency Services at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford where she supervises more than 100 people and is responsible for a multimillion dollar budget. After earning her B.S. in Nursing from Southern Oregon University, Heather worked as a registered nurse and paramedic, and then was hired to teach nursing at Southern Oregon University. In her free time, Heather volunteers to train emergency medical service and fire department personnel. Heather would like to obtain a higher management-level position in the medical field and hopes the MiM program will help her continue to develop her management style.

David Garcia (Fall 05)David is a Supervisory Transportation Security Screener for the Department of Homeland Security at the Medford International Airport. He has been a security professional since 2002. Before embarking on his current career, David obtained a B.A. in International Studies from Southern Oregon University, studied at the University of London, and taught English at a private school in South Korea. David is motivated to participate in the MiM program because he wants to glean practical advice from other experienced managers while attaining a formal education in management theory.

Margarita Garcia-Gallardo (Spring (04)Margarita is a participant in the Amistad exchange program from Guanajuato, Mexico. She earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration from the Universidad de Guanajuato in 2002. She has worked for Cruz Roja Mexicana (Mexican Red Cross) since 1999. Working for Fondo Emergente de Apoyo, she has been responsible for managing financial statements, maintaining medical records, and budget preparation. Margarita served as the local program director's assistant from 1999-2002. She has prior experience as an exchange student, having studied at the University of Montana and in Spain as undergraduate. She is deeply committed to the conservation and restoration of natural resources in her native country and hopes that the MiM program will provide her with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to increase conservation awareness in her society.

Amy Havice-Brown (Spring 05)Amy is a program director for Living Opportunities in Medford. Since 1995, she has supervised 15 employees who care for adults and children with disabilities in a group home setting. She has worked in disability services since her graduation from Eastern Oregon State College in 1990. Amy has been inspired by her company's CEO and hopes to follow in his footsteps when he retires in the next few years. By participating in the MiM program, she intends to set an example for her staff so that they will understand that "for as much as we do every day for our clients, we can always learn and do more."

Amber Houska (Spring 05)Amber has worked for Rogue Community College since 2004 as an adjunct faculty member and program coordinator. She has taught human development courses and worked in programs to promote student retention. She taught English as a second language to adults for Merced Community College prior to moving to the Rogue Valley in 2003. Her work experience includes serving as an outreach coordinator for University of the Pacific and business retention director for Merced County Economic Development Corporation, as well as more than a decade of horse training and riding instruction. She feels that the returns on her investment in the MiM program will include additional personal and professional experiences, as well as newly cultivated professional relationships that will lead to great opportunities.

Richard Hoylman (Fall 04)Rick teaches nuclear medicine technology at Oregon Institute of Technology. He has been at OIT since 2000. Rick completed a bachelors degree at OIT in Allied Health in 1988 and passed the national board exam in nuclear medicine technology the following year. He has been affiliated with Merle West Medical Center since 1999 as a staff technologist. He spent the previous ten years in Portland, working for Oregon Health Sciences University. Rick anticipates that the skills he learns in this program will help him prepare students to meet the challenges they will face in this field of medicine.

Len Jacobson (Summer 05)Len has been working in the information technology and geographic information systems (GIS) fields for more than 20 years. He recently accepted a position as Vice President of Development for ProCare, a global leader in childcare management software located in Medford, Oregon. Len was born and raised in Canada and has a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia. In addition to working, studying, and raising a family, Len serves as an elder at his church and mentors cross county runners at Crater High School in Central Point. Len expects the MiM program to hone his management skills so that he becomes a more effective manager of IT professionals.

Danny Jordan (Spring 05)Danny comes to the MiM program by way of Clatsop County where he served as director of Community Corrections from 2000 to 2004. He was hired as the director of Community Justice for Jackson County in 2004. Danny began his career in corrections in Pendleton, working in juvenile detention in 1993. By the time he left Umatilla County in 2000, he was the assistant director of Community Corrections. Danny feels that the MiM program offers the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of leadership and organizational development. He hopes to cultivate a greater understanding of the complexity of leadership, and strengthen his ability to develop an admirable organizational culture.

Kristin Jostad (Spring 00) Kristin has worked with nonprofit organizations for many years and has spent the last decade working with developmentally disabled adults. She recently had the opportunity to help create a new service agency and was involved in grant writing, design, contract negotiations, hiring and training, and developing systems.Through the MiM program, she would like to advance her business skills in order to be more effective as a leader in her field.

Melody Kamaunu (Spring 04)Melody is the first Native Hawaiian to enroll in the MiM program. A graduate of Hawaii Pacific University, she earned a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis on management in 1991. Melody is undertaking this degree hot on the heels of SOU's Masters in Applied Psychology program where she has completed a degree in the human services track. In Ashland, she served as the office manager of The Grove, a local youth center, in 2002. Melody was a restaurant manager in Kapaa, Hawaii from 1993-95 and was in the U.S. Air Force Reserves in Honolulu from 1989-97. Her training in the Reserves included logistics management and inventory management. Her goal is to be able to lead, manage and influence people in a positive way.

Heather Klima (Fall 03) Heather graduated from Southern Oregon University in 1999 with a degree in Art. She is currently a payroll manager for Lithia Motors. Prior to her current position, she served as the Assistant General Manager at Windmill Inns of America in Medford where she supervised 35 employees in four departments. She hopes to work in art administration following completion of the MiM program.

Brian Kinsey (Fall 05)Brian is Operations Manager for the Admissions Office at Southern Oregon University. Before working for the University, Brian was a student here, earning a B.S. in History and an award as Outstanding Student in History. He also is a graduate of the American Music and Dramatic Academy, a world-renowned training conservatory for musicians and actors. Brian has years of experience managing programs that serve people with disabilities and can converse in American Sign Language. Brian's goal in the MiM program is to learn from both his professors and colleagues while expanding his core knowledge of management principles.

Jessica Kinsey (Fall 05)Jessica is Office Manager for Willamette Dental in Medford, Oregon. Prior to entering the medical care field, Jessica worked in retail sales as a manager for the Southern Oregon University Bookstore. She has a B.A. in Literature from Southern Oregon University, loves teaching, and enjoys the challenge of mastering new skills. Jessica looks forward to collaborating with her MiM peers to learn from different leadership styles, as well as exploring topics of personal interest such as human resources and project management.

Gary Knox (Fall 06)Gary is a former Quality Control Manager for Royal Oak Enterprises, a charcoal manufacturing plant located in White City, Oregon. After serving in the U.S. Army, including a stint in Germany, he began working in the manufacturing sector, a career which lasted more than 30 years. Gary has a B.S. in Psychology from Southern Oregon University and is a founding member of the Rogue Valley Chapter of the American Production and Inventory Control Society. Gary anticipates the MiM program will help him brush up on modern management skills while exploring his future career opportunities.

Matt Krunglevich (Fall 06)Matt began working for the Oregon Department of Forestry in 1997 as a seasonal firefighter and has worked his way up to become Stewardship Forester for Jackson and Josephine Counties. He has a B.S. in Forest Management from Oregon State University and has worked with exchange students from Japan and Zimbabwe to develop a modernized management plan for OSU's forest lands. Matt believes the MiM program will help him achieve his dream of promotion to an executive position with the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Joanna Kucharczyk (Fall 06)Joanna is a native of Radom, Poland. She has a B.A. in Social Science from the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt, Germany, and has also studied at the University of Valencia in Spain. In addition to her native language, Joanna is fluent in English, German, and Spanish. During her undergraduate education, Joanna participated in several multicultural events, such as work promoting Polish literature for the Polish Ministry of Culture. Upon completion of the MiM program, Joanna would like to work for an American company that conducts business in Latin America. She chose the MiM program to prepare her for this international business career because she values the multidisciplinary character of the MiM program. She also looks forward to the opportunity to learn more about American culture while living and studying in Ashland.

Travis Lee (Fall 04)Travis is an instructor of Military Science at SOU and OIT for the Oregon Army National Guard. He has been with the National Guard since 1992 and has been teaching since 2003. He is also involved in teaching Office Candidate School at the Oregon Military Academy. Prior to teaching, Travis spent five years as the owner/operator of an insurance agency in Medford. He earned a bachelors degree in Biology from SOU in 1996. His current career goals include advancement to Commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade.

Chris Loeffler (Fall 06)Chris is an Assistant Buyer for Musicians Friend, the world's largest direct marketer of music gear, with headquarters in Medford, Oregon. He has two undergraduate degrees from Southern Oregon University, a bachelors in Business Administration and a bachelors in Foreign Language Studies. As a student, Chris spent a year studying abroad in Costa Rica. He has also studied and conducted business in Mexico, opportunities which helped him become fluent in Spanish. Chris hopes the MiM program will expand his analytical and management skills while helping him advance in the merchandising and marketing paths of the music industry.

Robert Luaders (Fall 06)Robert is a former instructor of business, computer science, and mathematics at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass, Oregon. He is also expert in graphic design, multimedia projects, and media-related technologies such as the delivery of Web-based education programs. Robert has a B.S. in Business and Music Arts from Southern Oregon University and is an active community volunteer, including service to the Grants Pass Family YMCA, Jackson County Fair, and Crater Lake Ski Patrol. Robert has enrolled in the MiM program to expand his career options, to network with the Southern Oregon University business community, and to help guide his peers on their journey of self-discovery.

Jennifer Malone (Spring 01) Jennifer manages The House of Ski and Board in Mt. Shasta, California. She has worked for the business since 1988. She completed a bachelors degree from California State University, Chico in Social Science in 1997. As an environmental health technician in the U.S. Air Force from 1984-88, Jennifer was responsible for designing and implementing occupational health and preventative medicine programs. She has experience working with challenged teens and teaching. She feels the MiM program will expand her options and provide new doorways to career advancement.

Tracey Marquit-Lehman (Fall 03)Tracey is the Director of Financial Aid at the Oregon Institute of Technology. She earned a degree in Communications from State University of NY at Oswego in 1988. Her community activities include serving on the Klamath County Citizen Review Board and coaching in the Klamath Youth Soccer League.

Darlene Martch (Fall 04)Darlene's nursing career spans more than 25 years, most of which have been spent at hospitals and clinics in Roseburg, Oregon. She earned a bachelors degree in Nursing in 1980 at Pennsylvania State University. A 25-year volunteer with Special Olympics, Darlene has traveled to four Special Olympics World Games. She aspires to a stronger leadership role in management and hopes that advanced communication practices and management skills will help her inspire employees.

Vanessa Martinez (Fall 07)Vanessa has worked in the nonprofit sector since 1998. She is Teacher/Manager of Caterpillar, a mobile science education center operated by Pacifica, a nonprofit learning center located in Williams, Oregon. Before joining Pacifica, Vanessa was International Programs Coordinator for Southern Oregon University. She has a B.S. in Sociology from SOU and has traveled widely, including visits to Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Central America, and Mexico. Vanessa hopes the MiM program will help her gain the knowledge and skills she needs to open Southern Oregon's first international child adoption center. In addition to obtaining a MiM degree, Vanessa also plans on pursuing a Master in Applied Psychology degree.

Chris McAlear (Fall 06)Chris is the Public Land Manager for the Bureau of Land Management office located in Medford, Oregon, where he is responsible for managing over 220,000 acres of public lands, a multimillion dollar budget, and more than 50 employees. Chris is a U.S. Navy veteran and continues to serve as a medic in the U.S. Coast Guard. He has an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and a B.S. in Forest Recreation Resource, both from Oregon State University. Chris expects the MiM program will help him continue to develop the leadership, resource planning, and budgetary skills necessary for further promotion within the Bureau of Land Management.

Erin McCan (Fall 06)Erin was born and raised in New Mexico. She has a B.S. in Finance from University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where she was president of the Finance and Investment Association. Erin is an Assistant Buyer for Musicians Friend, the world's largest direct marketer of music gear, with headquarters in Medford, Oregon. She has also worked for Outside Magazine and the Medford Mail Tribune. Erin has joined the MiM program to help her career advancement by enhancing and expanding her management capabilities.

Nancy McCaffery ( Fall 03)Nancy comes to us from Roseburg, Oregon with a degree in Medical Dietetics from the University of Chicago. Most recently, she served as Director of Imaging Services at Mercy Medical Center where she oversaw a staff of 13 and an annual operating budget of $690,000. She hopes that securing her graduate degree in management will provide her with the opportunity to advance in her field.

Lysa McDowell (Spring 03)Lysa has more than 20 years experience in the field of publishing and communication. She received a B.S. in Fine Art/Communication from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville in 1984. A community producer for RVTV, she is a two-time winner of the "Best Short Video of the Year" award, most recently for a video that she created featuring underwater pumpkin carving. Lysa co-founded Story Line Press, a nonprofit literary publisher, in 1985 and served as Design/Production Manager of the firm until 2002. During her tenure, she worked with many teams to produce more than 200 books. The MiM program has provided her with new options for writing, and integrating her graduate experience toward the innovative fields of creativity and knowledge management.

Lisa McGoffin (Winter 02)Lisa works as the practice administrator for Psychiatric Associates in Medford. She has been with the practice since her graduation from Southern Oregon University in 1992. During her tenure, she has played an integral role in steering the practice through many changes. At Southern, she earned a B.S. in Psychology and in Economics. Lisa feels that the MiM program will serve as a doorway to self-discovery and learning.

Margaret McNabb (Fall 04)Margie completed a bachelors degree in English Literature at SOU in 1990 and later moved back home to Michigan. In Traverse City, she spent two years serving as a school readiness facilitator for elementary schools in a four-county area following five years as a program director for Leelanau County Family Coordinating Council. She is currently serving as a program analyst for The Job Council in Medford. Margie is passionate about programs that support children and families and aspires to participate in policy-making at every level in a leadership capacity.

Elizabeth Mier (Fall 04)Elizabeth finalized a B.S. in Business Administration from SOU in 2003. Since graduation, she has served as a human resource management analyst for the City of Medford. Elizabeth's academic background includes coursework in Daytona Beach and Grand Rapids and an A.A. degree in Computer Science/Information Technology from Los Angeles Community College in 1987. She provided HR services to Rough & Ready Lumber Co. in Cave Junction HR for about ten years prior to completing her bachelors degree. Elizabeth counts on this program to help her advance in her career.

Brad Mitchell (Winter 07)Brad is the Sales and Special Projects Manager for his family's business, Mitchell Crane & Equipment Company in White City, Oregon. He has a B.S. in Forestry Products from Oregon State University. For the past four years, Brad has served on the board of the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited, a national waterfowl and wetlands conservation agency. Brad entered the MiM program to learn everything he can about what it takes to be a successful business manager, and is especially interested in learning more about global influences on business markets.

Charlie Mitchell (Fall 05)Charlie is a Business Development Manager for Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI), located in Medford, Oregon. Prior to joining SOREDI, Charlie was the Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Grants Pass where he managed a $700,000 annual budget, two employees, and seven contracts. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and has a B.S. in Communications from Southern Oregon University. Charlie is a tireless community advocate who serves on several boards, including the Josephine County Business Retention and Expansion Team, the Southern Oregon University Advisory Board, the Rogue Community College Small Business Development Council, and the Rogue Valley Workforce Development Council. Charlie hopes the MiM program will enhance his future career opportunities as he continues his formal education. He is the first person in his family to earn a college degree.

César Morales-Razo (Spring 04)César comes to us as part of the Amistad exchange program from Guanajuato, Mexico. He earned a bachelors in International Studies from the Universidad de Guanajuato in 1999 and completed a masters degree at the Universidad del Valle de Atema in 2004. He has served as a Supplier Scheduler at American Axle since 2002. César has worked in the import field since 1999, first at a General Motors assembly plant and then at Penske Logistics. He is a professor of Administration Philosophy at Irapuato University. He already has cross-cultural experience from participation in student exchange programs at the University of Albuquerque and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. César hopes to serve one day as a government advisor helping companies develop technical tools to make them more profitable.

Tracy Muhleman (Fall 05)Tracy has been working in the medical care field since 1992 and is currently the Patient Coordinator for MB Healthcare in Medford, Oregon. She has a B.S. in Psychology from Southern Oregon University and was the founding manager of the North Medford High School Equestrian Team. Tracy has enrolled in the MiM program to strengthen her managerial and leadership skills so that she can advance in her career and become an effective and efficient medical care facility administrator.

MaryAnn Neely (Spring 05)MaryAnn has worked in the Business Services Department at Southern Oregon University since 1990. As an Information Technology Consultant, she is responsible for a host of complex software, database, and technical reporting duties. MaryAnn has a B.S. in Computer Science from Southern Oregon University where she was recognized as the Outstanding Business Information Systems Student. MaryAnn is pursuing a MiM degree because she believes it will help her obtain three professional-development goals: the ability to find the best solution for complicated problems, the ability to deal with organizational change and human resource demands, and the ability to become a more effective communicator.

Cydney Nestor (Spring 05)Cydney is a Counselor at Children's Farm Home in Albany, Oregon, a nonprofit organization providing advocacy and resources to families in need. She has an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland and a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Portland. As an undergraduate, Cydney spent a year studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria, and traveled extensively through Europe. She would like to become the executive director of a mental health agency and thus has chosen the MiM program for her second graduate degree because of the MiM program's focus on developing students' advanced management skills.

Paul Oswald (Winter 07)Paul is a Practitioner for Spectrum Orthotics and Prosthetics in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and has been a healthcare practitioner for more than 28 years. Paul has two bachelor's degrees, a B.S. in Orthotics and Prosthetics from the University of Washington in Seattle and a B.S. in Recreation Education from Utah State University in Logan. In addition to his healthcare experience, Paul is an expert in multimedia and video production and co-founder of a center for Buddhist studies in the Klamath Basin. His long-term goal is to use his unique combination of medical and technical skills to develop a video- and Web-based distance-learning curriculum for health care students. Paul joined the MiM program to develop the research, critical analysis, and application skills he'll need to realize his dream.

Linda Ottinger (Fall 01)Linda serves as the Business Office Manager at Fairchild Medical Center in Yreka, California. She accepted her present position in late 2002. Prior to this, Linda was the director of Accounting Services for the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, California and the business manager at Prince William Sound Community College in Valdez, Alaska. She earned a B.A. in Accounting from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, in 1987. Linda feels the MiM program will allow her the opportunity to work as an assistant administrator in the medical field.

Colleen Padilla (Summer 06)Colleen is a Business Development Manager for Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI), located in Medford, Oregon. She has a B.S. in Human Communication from Southern Oregon University, where she garnered the Communication Scholar Award. Colleen is a busy community volunteer, serving with the Grants Pass Business Retention and Expansion Team, the Ashland Economic Stability Committee, the Medford Visitors & Convention Bureau, and others. She has also been a volunteer youth bowling instructor for more than 20 years. Colleen is driven by a desire to serve the community and is counting on the skills and knowledge she gains in the MiM program to help her career advancement so she can become the executive director of a public-serving agency.

Gene Pelham (Fall 04)Gene has served as the Executive Vice President of Rogue Federal Credit Union in Medford since 2003. A Rogue Valley native, he completed a bachelors in Business Administration at SOU in 1983. He has held leadership positions at credit unions in Eugene, Cottage Grove and Medford since 1985. His banking career started with a management trainee position at U.S. Bancorp as a college student in 1978. His greatest hope for the MiM experience is that he will enhance his critical thinking, verbal and written communication skills, sharpen his strategic vision, and be a better servant for the members and patrons of Rogue Federal Credit Union.

Maria Perez-Brodeur (Fall 04)Maria represents the MiM program's first participant from Guam. She has lived in Ashland since 1997 and currently works in the Admissions Office at SOU as a credential evaluator. After attending colleges in five states, Maria completed a bachelors degree in Business and Management from the University of Maryland in 1990. Prior to joining the SOU staff, she managed Mail Boxes Etc. and served as the resident manager for a local Knight's Inn Motel. Her goal is to one day create an event planning business and she sees the MiM program as a way to prepare her to be more competitive and successful.

Laurie Petersen (Fall 04)Laurie is the lead nursing supervisor at Ashland Community Hospital. She received a bachelors in Nursing from SOU in 1992. Prior to joining the hospital staff in 2002, Laurie worked for Providence Medford Medical Center as a relief nursing supervisor and as a home health care case manager. Growing up, she spent five years in West Africa (in Ghana and Liberia) and three years in South Africa and Zaire. Following high school graduation, she spent two years in India working for the American International School and volunteering on a traveling medical van. Laurie is counting on her experience in the program to help her reach her ultimate professional goal of making positive contributions in the delivery of patient care and in the working environment of nurses.

Suzet Petersen (Fall 03) Suzie commutes to the program from Bonanza, Oregon. She received her degree from Oregon Institute of Technology in 1998 and currently works at OIT as their Assistant Director of Financial Aid. Her career interest is in higher education administration. Suzet has also been a volunteer 4-H beef leader for the past 15 years.

Sharon Pewtress (Fall 03)Sharon graduated from Utah State University in 2002. Her interests are in international business and healthcare management, though she also has a background in nonprofit organization. She most recently worked with The Tournament Player's Club at Summerlin as a part-time coordinator for the PGA Tour. Sharon is currently an Admissions Counselor at SOU with an emphasis in Minority Outreach at the University.

Walter Prout (Fall 04)Walter's work experience has been primarily in manufacturing and procurement in fields as diverse as organic chai tea, heating and air conditioning systems, and microwave testing equipment. He graduated from the University of California-Santa Cruz in 1995 with a degree in Politics and a minor in Industrial Theory. Walter moved to the Rogue Valley in 2002 where he worked as a purchasing manager for Intercal for two years. He hopes to study multinational manufacturing and how accounting theory and practice evolve to serve manufacturing in a global economy.

James Reynolds (Spring 04)Jim works for the National Weather Service where he has served as a Warning Coordination Meteorologist since 2000. He has been affiliated with the agency since 1993, first as an intern in San Diego and then as a forecaster in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Jim attended Arizona State University where he completed a B.S. in Geography. He believes that this program will prepare him for career advancement within the National Weather Service and will help him develop ideas to improve how the organization does business on the local, regional, and national levels.

Wendy Rich (Fall 03)Wendy received her degree in Psychology from Southern Oregon University in 1994. She is currently the Clinical/Managing Director for Community Works, Inc. She hopes to expand her expertise in all aspects of nonprofit management through her participation in the program.

Linda Richards (Fall 05)Linda is a staff member of the Women's Resource Center at Southern Oregon University. Previously, Linda was co-director of Peace House, a nonprofit center for peace and justice serving Southern Oregon and Northern California. Linda has been a peace activist since childhood and has been a volunteer non-violence trainer for more than 17 years, teaching conflict resolution skills to hundreds of people. Linda has a B.S. in Science from Southern Oregon University and upon completion of the MiM program will begin work towards a Ph.D. in the History of Science at Oregon State University in Corvallis. In the MiM program, Linda hopes to acquire the professional management skills she'll need to become the leader of a human-service nonprofit organization.

Elsy Rivas Miramontes (Fall 05)Elsy is a native of Mexico who comes to Southern Oregon University on the Amistad Program from the University of Guanajuato, where she earned a B. A. in Accounting. She formerly worked as a government accountant for Ministry of Finance and Administration in Guanajuato. Currently she is a Customer Service Representative for Rogue Valley Credit Union. Elsy is fluent in Spanish, English, and French, and enjoys volunteering on behalf of orphans and homeless pets. She chose the MiM program for her graduate degree because it will assist her career advancement while providing a solid foundation in an area of particular interest, the effects of globalization on international business.

David Rodriguez (Fall 03) David earned a bachelors degree in Business Leadership from Baker College in Muskegon, Michigan. His professional background includes being an owner and chief instructor of a martial arts studio in Montague and Grand Haven, Michigan, sales for Bear Creek Corporation, and a stint as a public safety officer for the Baha'i National Center in Evanston, Illinois. David also has two sons currently attending SOU. He sees the MiM program as an effective way to make a career transition.

Rich Rosenthal (Winter 04)Rich earned a B.A. from Linfield College in Mass Communications in 1993. Since 1994, he has served as the Sports Information Director for SOU. He is responsible for media relations, web site development and stat services for 12 intercollegiate teams. He serves on the National Sports Information Board of Directors and was recently elected to serve on the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission. He sees the MiM program as an important tool in attaining his goal of serving as an athletic director at the college level.

Mike Sanders (Fall 05)Mike has worked in law enforcement for more than 25 years and is a Sergeant for the California Highway Patrol bureau located in Mt. Shasta, California. During his career, Mike has received numerous commendations, including an Officer of the Year award. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has been deployed or traveled to Japan, Korea, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, France, and Italy. Mike has a B.S. in Fire Protection Administration and Technology from California State University in Los Angeles. As a MiM participant, Mike hopes to discover new career opportunities while learning more about modern management techniques.

Michelle Schuster (Fall 04)Michelle completed a bachelors degree in Business at SOU in 1998. She serves as the Housing Office Manager at the University, overseeing the housing office front desk and mail room, and providing support to the Director of Residential Life and Housing. Her interest in geology and anthropology has led her to making presentations to elementary students, conducting stream surveys for the BLM, and researching tool artifacts made by local Native Americans. By participating in the MiM program, she plans to educate herself so that she might better serve SOU's future students.

Celena Shouse-Bland (Fall 03)Celena graduated from SOU in 2002 with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems. She is currently the President of Achiever Marketing, an online marketing company specializing in paid search campaign management.

John Steinbergs (Winter 07)John is an Executive Support employee for Sky Research, Inc., an Ashland company that provides remote sensing, geophysical, and mapping services for clients such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S Army National Guard, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the World Bank. He has a B.S. in Small Business Management from Southern Oregon University and has studied abroad at the University of Guanajuato, Mexico. John is dedicated to helping his company prosper and has enrolled in the MiM program to gain the skills and knowledge he needs to become a top-level manager at Sky Research.

Scott Stinson (Winter 03)Scott is a senior Programmer Analyst at Bear Creek Corporation where he helps support data processing systems related to merchandising, logistics and order fulfillment. He earned a bachelors degree in Information Systems from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia in 1989. Scott has used his IT skills in fields as diverse as health care, automotive retail, insurance and wholesale grocery supply. He feels the MiM program will provide additional management and leadership skills to broaden his opportunities for professional advancement.

Sherri Stratton (Winter 06)Sherri has been working for the Job Council in Medford, Oregon for more than 20 years. She initially became involved with the Job Council as a client, then was hired as a receptionist, and has since worked her way up to a managerial position while simultaneously raising a family and earning a B.S. in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University. Sherri now serves as Youth Program Manager for the Job Council's Jackson and Josephine County initiatives. She enrolled in the MiM program to acquire the advanced management skills she'll need to assist the Job Council as it makes the transition from a social service organization into a business-driven workforce development agency.

Trisha Stubbs (Winter 07)Trisha is currently serving as an Education Coordinator for Asnate Health System in Medford. Prior to starting work at Asante, she worked in HR at Sky Research and served as an Associate Relations Manager for U.S. Cellular's Medford, Oregon office. She has worked in human resources for more than eight years and has a B.A. in Business Administration from Washington State University in Pullman. One of Trisha's dreams is to become a professional consultant specializing in leadership development and human resource solutions.

Denise Swafford (Winter 03)Denise completed a B.A. in Management from Northwest Christian College in 2001. Since 1998, she has served as the assistant to the President and Board of Education at Rogue Community College. Prior to moving to the Rogue Valley, Denise worked as a legal assistant, paralegal and legal secretary in San Diego for a total of 12 years. She sees the MiM degree helping her to advance at RCC, becoming part of a new generation of leaders in education.

Liz Tilson (Winter 07)Liz has been a professional lifeguard since 2000. She is the Swim Lesson Coordinator for Ashland Family YMCA and has taught people of all ages how to swim, from six-month-old babies to octogenarians. When she's not busy supervising the pool, Liz enjoys volunteering for several nonprofit organizations including the Roseburg Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, the Oregon Youth Authority, and others. Liz has a B.S. in Criminology from Southern Oregon University and wants to obtain a management-focused graduate degree so she can earn a promotion to a management position at the YMCA.

Turk Tunskul (Winter 07)Turk is the first Thai to join the MiM program. He has two bachelor's degrees, a B.A. in Business Administration from Bangkok University and a second B.A. in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University. Before coming to the U.S. to study, Turk was Sales Manager Assistant for his family's business, Korn Thai Company, a food and beverage manufacturer. Here in Ashland, Turk works as a Student Manager for Southern Oregon University's Stevenson Union Catering department. Turk is taking graduate-level management courses in preparation for taking over the management of his family's business.

Wendy Turner (Fall 03)Wendy graduated from OSU in 1997 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science. She works at OIT as an Assistant Registrar. Wendy's community activities include volunteer work with the Miss Klamath County/Miss City of Sunshine Scholarship Pageant and Walk for Life.

Jack Vitacco (Spring 06)Jack is the Director of Southern Oregon University's Small Business Development Center. Before relocating to Southern Oregon, Jack worked for 3M Corporation for 20 years and was a successful sales and marketing consultant with a client list that included Sears, Roebuck, and Company and Johnson & Johnson, in addition to a host of small businesses. Jack has a B.A. in English and Education from Loyola University in Chicago. In Chicago, Jack held various volunteer leadership positions with Misericordia Parents' Association, a nonprofit support group for individuals with developmental disabilities. Jack has decided to continue his education because he wants to augment his many years of career experience with the contemporary management theories and applications taught in the MiM program.

Susan Walton (Spring 05)Susie moved to Oregon in 1999 from Little Rock, Arkansas. She has worked in the field of human services for many years, first as a psychiatric counselor at a children's hospital, then as a trainer for foster parents and a case manager for individuals with developmental disabilities. Currently, she is the assistant branch manager for Medford Senior Services sponsored by the Rogue Valley Council of Governments. She earned a bachelors degree in Physical Education and Health in 1987 at University of the Ozarks. Through the MiM program, she hopes to gain tools for learning, leading and reaching her goals.

Diana Watson-Paul (Winter 07)Diana is the Head Counselor for Southern Oregon University's Financial Aid office. She has worked for Financial Aid since 1999 and enjoys the challenge of helping people find the means to fund their college education. She has a B.S. in Human Communication from Southern Oregon University and has selected the MiM program for her graduate degree because she wants to become a better manager and a more powerful advocate for the value of higher education. After earning her MiM degree, Diana plans to enter a Ph.D. program to study higher education administration.

Cindy Weaver (Fall 04)Cindy took time out of her college career to manage a local travel agency. Some 25 years later, she returned to SOU and completed a bachelors in Business Administration in 2001. Cindy has worked in accounts payable at Ashland Community Hospital since 2002. She is an active member of the Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol. Passionate about lifelong learning, Cindy's goal is to gain new skills and knowledge to advance in her career and become a more professional employee.

Francis Webber (Spring 05)Francis is the Human Resource Director for Jackson County, Oregon. Prior to going to work for the County, Francis provided human resource leadership at Bear Creek Corporation, a company with more than 2,000 employees. He has an M.A. in Public Health from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California and a B.A. in Behavioral Science from Pacific Union College in Angwin, California. In his spare time, Francis has established the Multi-Use Trails Coalition, an organization dedicated to improving and increasing trails for hikers, bikers, equestrians, skiers, and other recreational trail users. In addition, he serves as president of the Southern Oregon Soccer Referee Association. As a human resource leader, Francis frequently has to make decisions that require broad business analysis. He decided to obtain a second graduate degree so that he can learn more about a wide range of modern business management issues, such as finance, human resources, information systems, marketing, and law.

Hilary Witcher (Fall 05)Hilary began her management career at the age of 11 when she was selected as the leader for her school's Jump Rope for Heart team. The experience instilled a love for project management that still gives her career its focus. Hilary has worked in retail sales since 2001 and is currently an Assistant Buyer at Harry and David, one of the nation's premier direct marketing and e-commerce companies with headquarters in Medford, Oregon. Hillary manages more than 200 products for Harry and David stores. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from University of Georgia in Athens, during which time she also enjoyed studying abroad in France and Italy. Hilary is looking to increase her professional growth and overall knowledge of management in order to become a director at Harry and David.

Karolina Wyszynska (Fall 03)Karolina holds a graduate degree in English from her native Poland as well as an undergraduate degree in English from SOU. She is currently the Sales and Catering Manager at the Ashland Springs Hotel. She intends to parlay her experience in hospitality management to a senior management position in Poland.